CTU plans presence at October 24 Board meeting... Challenges to school closing plans begin now

George N. Schmidt - October 23, 2012

The Chicago Teachers Union is planning a presence at the October 24, 2012 meeting of the Chicago Board of Education. The Board's agenda, which was released on October 22 in conformity with the Illinois Open Meetings Act, includes the revised budget, but does not include approval of the new contract which was approved by the CTU members in a referendum held on October 2.

In an email to union members on October 23, Norine Gutekanst, the CTU's organizing chief, wrote as follows:

Dear Teachers, PSRPs, and friends,

Tomorrow the Board of Education meets, at which time they will vote on a new budget and introduce Barbara Byrd Bennett as new CPS CEO.

Tomorrow morning there will be a number of people testifying on behalf of our school communities, documenting the lack of resources going to our schools while the Board is planning massive closings and privatization.

The message tomorrow will be that our neighborhood schools have many unmet needs, and that given the problems with rat droppings, air conditioning, 20th day closings, and other problems in our existing schools, it makes no sense for the Board to talk about closing, transforming, and charterizing our schools.

If your school is on Track E intercession, we need you to come and testify as to unmet needs at your school, and also to stand with Community Groups as they testify. Community groups are gathering signatures on a letter which they will present to Barbara Byrd Bennett. Plan to arrive between 6:30 and 8:00 a.m. to testify.

Please RSVP to me if you can attend.

In solidarity,

Norine Gutekanst

ngutekanst@hotmail.com

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